McCarthy hints that Given may make unexpected debut

MICK McCARTHY'S first training session with the Irish team was an intimate affair in Clonshaugh yesterday with only nine of his senior panel having arrived and another few names added to the "unfit to travel" list.

Ray Houghton was the latest player to get in touch to tell the new manager that he would not be arriving in Dublin thanks, in his case, to a bout of gastric flu, and with Alan McLoughlin, Alan Kelly, Phil Babb, John Sheridan and Denis Irwin already out. McCarthy was shelving any talk of selections, formations or tactics until seeing what talent he has at his disposal later today.

"It's crazy talking about it because I just don't, know what I've got, but I'm hoping that nobody else will go in which case we'll have a strong enough panel for Wednesday," said McCarthy yesterday.

A great deal will depend on how many of the players involved in yesterday's English League Cup final arrive safely in Dublin, while there is always the fear that some of those scheduled to play in FA Cup semi finals next Sunday could be forced to miss the match with Russia.

"As a player no manager would ever have pulled him out of a game. If they are injured then they are injured it they are fit then they come here. That's my view. Maybe it's romantic and naive. I don't know," he said.

The new man did confirm that goalkeeper Shay Given was likely to be involved on Wednesday due to the loss of Kelly, while Michael Dempsey of Bohemians, who recently had a trial with London club Orient, has been brought into the under 21 match.

"Shay has been playing well lately. I'll have a chat with the two of them (Given and Packie Bonner), but if there is ever a right time to play a guy for the first time it's after he's kept 11 clean sheets for his club."

The upshot is that Given, who is on loan at Sunderland from Blackburn, will spend at least part of the next two days attempting to get a flight back to England in time for Sunderland's weekend promotion clash with Huddersfield.

I tried to get a flight back on Thursday just to watch the senior, game but I couldn't so I'm supposed to go back Wednesday morning. Now I'll have to get a flight somewhere," added the 19 year old who, under 21 tracksuit apart seemed right at home following the news of his elevation.

"It's been an incredible season and to get a game on Wednesday would just cap it all. If I do get to play, though, I'm sure I'll handle it all right. I've been playing in front of big crowds at Sunderland where the supporters are real fanatics.

The opportunity to play at international level will further enhance the rapidly growing reputation of the teenager, for whom Sunderland are already believed to have offered £2 million only to be turned down by Blackburn manager Ray Harford.

"There's been rumours about money and that, but I try not to pay too much attention. I've been told that Blackburn won't let me go so hopefully when I go back there I'll be involved with the first team every week. I'm still a young lad so I've got the time."

No matter how many withdrawals McCarthy is hit with over the next 24 hours, though, Given is likely to be the only one of the youngsters to get a chance in the main game, with the new boss indicating that any other vacancies are likely to be filled by more experienced players overlooked in recent times, rather than the likes of Liverpool's Mark Kennedy who finds himself temporarily at least, back in the underage ranks.

"The tour in America will be a chance for some of the younger lads to impress . . . if some players don't turn up this time then it's a chance for the players who haven't had a chance for a while in the past."

That is likely to mean a chance for Coventry's Liam Daish, who due to arrive tomorrow after playing in tonight's game against Southampton, while Eddie McGoldrick, who McCarthy described as "fit as I've ever seen him despite having a knee operation three weeks ago, could figure in the proceedings.

Also due to arrive tomorrow is Tommy Coyne whose travels have been delayed by family commitments. McCarthy had intended to invite long term injury problem David Kelly to join up with the squad, but has been unavailable to contact him over the past week.

"It's right that the lads who have just got injured stay with their clubs so that they can get treatment, but it would have been nice to get a few of the other players here to be with us, it just hasn't been possible," said McCarthy.

The visit of the Russians may prove a tough match for fringe players to re establish themselves in the side, but McCarthy is sure that this will be a very worthwhile first workout for his new regime. "It's going to be a hard game and I may not have a full squad to pick from, but everybody will want to play. It's going to be a full house and we're playing the Russians. It's one of those occasions that just might inspire people."

Whatever happens, McCarthy, concedes that he has a great deal to prove in the coming months with the former Millwall manager admitting that "I'm probably here because of what I did as a player. I'm aware of that. Now I'm starting afresh."

It the longer term plans take some time to fall into place there will he hopes, be a noticeable change in, approach this time out "there might be a bit more passing than Jack would have ever stood for."